Roman emperor Diocletian famously retired in 305 AD to grow cabbages. What if he had stayed in power or returned? Three grounded scenarios and why one matters most.
late-antiquity
Roman Gold in a Soapstone Jar: 5 Things It Tells Us
A soapstone jar packed with Roman gold coins was found in Como, Italy. Here are 5 things this hoard reveals about late Roman money, fear, and power.
How a 6th‑Century Cold Snap Helped Break Rome
Tree rings, ice cores, and chronicles reveal how volcanic eruptions in 536–547 AD triggered a “Late Antique Little Ice Age” that deepened Rome’s long crisis.
Why 536 AD Might Be the Worst Year in History
In 536 AD, a mysterious fog dimmed the sun, crops failed, famine spread, and a deadly plague followed. Historians call it the worst year to be alive.